Israel 2010 Australian Soldier

Although many statues can be said interesting, artistic, and well done, this one is intriguing in it's material content. The sword in his hand, the gun over his shoulder, and the bridle on the horse, along with other elements are the actual historical pieces from the Battle of Beer Sheva. These pieces were incorporated and preserved in with the statue. The sword is the most obvious up close in observation.





Charge of the Light Horse. This was an unusual battle in that the Australian soldiers were well outnumbered and on horseback, yet prevailed. I find it is the nature in Israel, where odds are often the case except for Elohim.

Israel 2010 Sea of Salt

As we begin to descend into the hills, which sounds conflicting, but that is the case, I am nervous. The curves are treacherous and unforgiving, as I spot a couple of vehicles below proving my point. My husband is confident and does not want to hear neither my fussing or the sucking in of air as my heart forces blood through my veins at the same speed it would if I was to skip over the rail.

Finally he slows down to appease me, and then all the others must pass us, which they do even in such a situation of curves and dropoffs.

Right in the center of this picture above is a cluster of people on bicycles. A true perspective of me looking out over this cliff/valley.

This water is the most magnificent shade of turquoise, with brilliant whites where it is shallow. The day is overcast with a hope of long overdue rain. The photo does not do it justice. This lake is 422 meters below sea level (1385 ft). This is lower than my husband's descent in a submarine around the world.

This is a public park, complete with showers to rinse the residue of the lake away. It was too cold to go in past the ankles, and yet there were many who did spend a time completely in. I was hoping to go in like I did on the last trip as the floating aspect here is enough for me to complete feel it is therapeutic. A great place to work as a life guard!

The water level is gradually lower and lower. Here channels seem to be carved in to trap and direct the waters together. The color is even more intense as such. The hills beyond the sea, seen in each picture is Jordan.

Israel 2010 Phone Call

I like the colors!

While the pelephone is quite common here, pelephone meaning miracle phone or as we would say cell phone, the hard lines are still everywhere, unlike stateside where they are quickly disappearing.

Israel 2010 A different kind of lunch

Although there is a stray cat around every corner, dogs are not seen loose hardly ever. This little guy, and another like him were roaming the old city. I am not sure if he is observing the birds eating lunch or the obvious....

Israel 2010 Fauna, the Hoopoe

The state bird of Israel.

Israel 2010 Flora

Israel 2010 Caesarea Mosaics

While I got carried away on the photo blog of Caesarea, I deliberately withheld the mosaics for those specifically interested in this perspective. For sake of time, I am not going to comment on each one, but all I can think of, seeing these, is the time to cut each piece, roughly a cube, not like our flat mosaics, and also the possible patterns and quilt ideas that play around in my head. Enjoy!

Israel 2010 Home Sweet Home

I am very extreme in what I like here. The old city has such charm and comfort. There seems to be a relaxing pace and no worries or concerns whether I am a foreigner or not. History and old buildings are everywhere. I can eat local foods, see tradition and live real life.

The other part I like is the higher end areas sustaining more green areas, of xeriscapes, rock formations, architectural patterns, nice parks, and quiet from the main roads.

The area where we are staying. Although the mall across the street offers ease, and the old city is just a few blocks away, the traffic noise level is extreme until late night and Shabbat of course (when the city practically shuts down). This is not the case in most areas, but we are at a major intersection.

Our apartment contains it's own charm. The interlocking of apartments, where one is built, another added, another added, and such until it looks like a Tetris puzzle of white cement and charming red tiled roofs, eliminating much in privacy. I cannot tell one sound from another, when a gate opens, is it ours or across the way? I wonder about the sounds I hear from other apartments, and what they hear of us. This is the quietest my husband has ever heard me on a continous level.

Yet with all this noise, I awoke early this morning to the sound of a woman singing softly, so intriguing was the melody, that I tried to memorize it in my head, while laying there half asleep. I finally dozed back off, and woke again to a faint brass melody practicing farther away. I woke easily and ready to meet my day with such awakenings.

Israel 2010 Caesarea

In honor of our daughters 18th birthday, she requested to come to Caesarea National Park. We had visited on a previous trip, and it was her favorite archaelogical site. The site is facinating due to the many years it existed as a maritime port under different rules, different influences and a variety of periods influencing the style, designs, craftmanship and such.

To begin with, there are numerous areas of what I call grave yards, not of people, but of stones, columns, and architectural elements that are so numerous they are left in piles or groups, unclaimed for reconstruction, but beautiful to look at, none-the-less.




I collected pictures like I do most things, with a passion. There were over 300 taken. On top of the count, when I loaded these, which takes quite a while with limited access, they are loaded backwards from our procession of the day. I don't know that it matters. The place leaves me in awe of handiwork. And also the awe of how it can pass away.



I love Israeli signs, to the point.






Here new buildings are incorporated in the old as everything from restaurants, art studios, shops, museums, and more.



The blue waters of the Mediteranean are so intense, it does not seem real to my eyes.



In the area where new is added to the old, there is a section of artist and it is referred to as the cats quarter. There is a reason why, of course. They are everywhere. Here one observes another catching a small mouse amongst the ruins.




While this picture shows so much, it does not include areas beyond or behind, just to get an idea of it's size.



A wonderful display of columns, caps, and more are displayed in such a manner to remind us of the original glory these once held in architectural elements, before their fall.




It would be interesting to know which artistic design were from which era.


A collection of column caps by the theatre.



The amphitheater from the gate by the Hippodrome.





This area is called Hippodrome, commonly used for horse or chariot races. It is complete with stadium seating, stall areas, and more. This entire length is inclusive.




I love scenes where the old is with the new, such as the power plant in the far distance.



Evidence of pottery shards, absolutely everywhere. You step on them everywhere you go. When first arriving you are all to aware of them. After a while is much like the abundance of sea shells that are as thick as gravel.



This is a view from the older area, towards some of the shops built in.



There are so many arches of different sizes, shapes, and most likely uses, all from different time periods. Speculation is the best I can consider.


This is the actual entrance, from a tourist point.

At the end of the day, many couples had gathered for the sunset. It was breathtaking. And while we were here for most of a day, there was much we did not explore or had to rush through to just view.

Israel 2010 Tel Be'er Sheva

Be'er Sheva, an oath at the well. This is the site of the biblical Town. Modern day Be'er Sheva is the only city in Israel built by the Ottomons.

Today we visited Tel Be'er Sheva. This is the site of the original Be'er Sheva. Be'er Sheva of the Bible. I like this picture, because if you look across the horizon you see the present day area.

Going out from this area the desert is obvious all around. The dust was swirling in and about creating a coat of silt on my hands before the trip was complete.

The great thing of visiting these different historical sites (recognized nationally here and also through the UN as significant), is that signage includes continous Biblical references. It is one thing to read it, another to see, but profound to connect it.

This area below would have most likely been storage areas. There are 3 or 4 of these storehouse rooms.

The cistern is very significant and is over 200 meters deep. It is also very wide based on our standards. I would like to say I took great pictures, but the size, the akward steps, and the magnitude took my breath away and I felt the need to avoid looking down and over, as well as holding both railings climbing down. The fact that you wear a "hard hat" is a little evidence of the care needed, if that helps justify my over cautiousness. I still wish I had taken pictures...

Israel 2010 Safety Check

My car would never make it here. There are no old vehichles smoking along. All cars are newer and up to current standards. Driving here appears more precarious than it actually is. People swoop, dodge, and can stop on a dime. In a pedestrian oriented society, it seems impossible to see cars drive as such, and yet with little effort stop immediately should you drop of the curb.


If it is their green light and speeds are higher, a courteous honk reminds you not to step off into the traffic. Horns honk constantly, but not in the anger we are accustom to in the states, but rather a warning to watch out.


Speaking of safety, a subject that overwhelms me during traveling here, not because I have concerns, but friends and family do. For this, I feel I must ignore it or pacify with comfort of acknowledging the comments.


According to statistics, I am more likely to die stateside than in Israel. This is based on car accident fatalities are greater where I live than both car accidents and terror attacks combined here in Israel. So relax, when it is my time, it is my time. Until then, I am enjoying my Visit!


To be honest the only time I feel uncomfortable is when the guys below us go outside for their smoke and I hear their voices, not knowing what they are saying. Funny, when I go outside to work on art, they get quiet and uncomfortable also. Language is a powerful thing.

Israel 2010 Adult Parks

There are scattered Adult Parks for workouts. These hydrolic systems are still brightly colored and set in a nice setting the same as most playground equipment. Many people bring elderly here to manage some extra exercise. It is both cost effective and convenient.

I really like buying groceries here. It is a challenge and a force upon me to read my Hebrew. Some products have a single word in English as your confirmation of what you are purchasing. If there is no English word, but you can read Hebrew, they sometimes have words in transliteration and simply pronouncing the word you see Hebrew is actually the English pronounciation.

Most products are packaged the same, which is a great help, but some are not, or they are catagorized differently. The store we use here keeps margerine and butter in two different places, so reading is important, when I want butter only.

Milk is sold in smaller portions as most all dairy here, and limited in choices. Interestingly, some milk comes in a bag. I was not sure how that would be handled, but as a guest in another's home, I saw that the bag is set inside a pitcher for stability, and then poured out. I am sure there are plenty who pour it into their own pitchers at home.

I also watch people there as to try to determine why they flock around these eggs, and not those. Most often it is lost on me, unless maybe there is a price issue.

I do not bother with baskets, and you have to deposit monies to get one (like the airport for a luggage rack-except Israel airport luggage racks are free...). They have plastic bags, plenty, but more than half of the people have their own bags and many have roll around cart bags.

At the lines, it is most interesting. Those who do not like to be touched or crowded would be in trouble or have to leave the food behind. The lines are tight, and you step around the checker to continue to pay and sack your goods. Not only is your line tight, but you are physically against the line next to you. To squeeze through is a physical feat. Squeeze or be squeezed.

I usually do not know my change well enough, and I hand over the correct cash, but hold out a hand of coins for the remainder. Always, the money is taken from my hand, coin by coin, counted specifically for my benefit, and then that which is taken is shown to me again for verification. I appreciate the honesty.

While my purse is checked and others their bags, etc going in, our receipts are briefly checked leaving. Then we definately look like all the rest. Carry bags, everyone always carrying bags on to our destination.

Speaking of bags, my smaller purse may be the one thing giving me away. Everyone carries large bags, to carry what they have, or to take on what they will acquire. Small bags are nothing more than an accessory for a special evening.